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Roy Daines: 'Our engine failed over 300 miles away from home'

Roy Daines trained to be an Air Gunner and Wireless Operator in the RAF, after joining up at 18 years old.

After extensive training, Roy and his crew were sent to fly secret radar and reconnaissance missions for 192 Squadron.

Roy remembers a very close shave while flying over the Bay of Biscay, and visiting Hiroshima just weeks after the US dropped the first atomic bomb.

Until the age of 102, Roy could still remember Morse code and translate words at a speed of 12 words a minute.

Roy Daines passed away on 24 March 2025.

We Were There aims to collect as many first-hand accounts as possible by 2025, the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, to preserve veterans' accounts for future generations.

The BBC is currently working on the project with a number of partners including the Normandy Memorial Trust and Royal British Legion. Some of the stories collected may be shared with our partners and used on BBC News platforms.

If you have a story to share, or know someone who does, please click here to tell us a little bit more or use one of the methods below.

Do you or someone you know have memories of World War Two? Please share these experiences by emailing [email protected].

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: